A WOMAN who was indecently assaulted by jailed family doctor Roy Murray has spoken of the emotional trauma victims and relatives experienced over the course of the investigation and trial.

Murray (62) was sentenced to six years in jail after being convicted of indecently assaulting 23 women patients at his Liverpool Road surgery.

The 50-year-old victim, who gave evidence against Murray at Liverpool Crown Court, told how he assaulted both herself and her daughter during examinations at the surgery.

And although she said Murray's conviction had brought to a close a traumatic period, she also branded the sentence "lenient" and slammed health chiefs for not following up complaints allegedly lodged long before the eventual investigation began.

The woman was first assaulted by Murray when aged in her mid-20s. At the time she was using the coil because she could not take the contraceptive pill. And, she says, Murray would insist on internal examinations sometimes lasting more than 40 minutes.

She said: "The examination would go on for so long, he would try and make out it was a routine thing we needed to be there. When I changed doctors I realised the examinations had been taking far too long.

"Murray would never let anyone accompany you in the surgery, not even my husband.

And later when my daughter wanted me to go in with her, he wouldn't let me.

"When I read that he had been charged I decided to come forward. Before, I thought it was of matter of it only happening to me and didn't think anyone would believe me if I complained."

Describing the last two years as a "devastating time" personally, the married mother-of-two added that the trial and investigation had also put a massive strain on their families.

She said: "People also don't realise how this has made husbands or boyfriends of the victims feel, knowing that their wives or partners have been abused by a man they should have been able to trust. It's has been very difficult for them.

"Some of the victims have not even told their parents or families about what happened."

Given the number of victims and the position he abused, she feels Murray's sentence is lenient and she is also angry at the former St Helens Health Authority.

She added: "We all feel disgusted and let down by the health authority. Complaints were made and not followed up."